Tag: will family

This is from The Daily News Record, Harrisonburg, Virginia, Friday, June 21, 1929.

Timberville’s peach yield will double any previous crop

George H. Crist places yield for this year at 170,800 bushels

“Mayflower,” an early variety, goes to market

Failure of southern crop indicates a profitable price this season

The largest peach crop in Timberville’s fruit history — 170,800 bushels of approximately 450 carloads — will be harvested this year, according to estimates compiled by George H. Crist, veteran fruit grower of that section of Rockingham.

The first shipment of Timberville peaches are now on their way to market. They are the “Mayflower” variety and are grown by W. E. Propst. They were sold for $2.25 per bushel. Mr. Propst has 200 bushels of this early variety, and the failure of the Southern crop enables him to get a good price for them this year.

Big crop this year

“The peach crop this season will be Timberville’s largest, in fact twice the size of any crop the Timberville area has ever put on the market,” said Mr. Crist. “Not only will there be lots of peaches, but the quality will be splendid and the size will be huge. The peach growers are expecting good prices this year on account of the failure of the Southern peach crop.

The rush of picking, packing and shippng peaches from Timberville will start about July 20 this year. The Carmens, the early variety, will then be ready to harvest. There are about ten carloads of this variety. On about August 5th the Hila Belles and the Georgia Belles will be ready for picking and shipping, and when this crop is exhausted the Elbertas, the best of all, will be ready for the harvester. Timberville is looking forward to the biggest peach season of its history, and it is not improbable that it will lead the state in production this year.

Shipping a problem

Shipping the big peach crop to market is now developing into a problem. The Southern Railway has been handling the bulk of the crop, and this year it is expected that the Southern will be compelled to augment its express shipments with a truck service. At the height of the season this year it is expected that at least shipments will go forward at the rate of from 20 to 25 carloads a day.

This is from The Daily News Record, Harrisonburg, Virginia, Wednesday, October 17, 1962.

Luray Firemen, Community In Tributes To J. Everett Will

Luray – “I’m just a country boy, who loves all the firemen in Virginia,” is the way J. Everett Will, his voice choking with emotion, arose to thank all who honored him in a surprise “This Is Your Life” party, Sunday night.

Those gathered to honor him were firemen from all over Virginia: Warren Hicks, of Hampton, state secretary, Edward Braithwaite, of Harrisonburg, past president, William Ware, president of the Northern Virginia Firemen, Frank Stoutamyer, of Front Royal, past president, and H. H. Colvin, of Culpeper, a past president.

But firemen were not the only ones who welcomed this versatile citizen, a prominent lawyer, and a member of the Virginia Council of the State Bar. Judge Mark Woodward, of Luray, paid tribute to his excellency at the Bar, and the many offices he has held, and triumphs won.

Recalls First Case

Robert Lillard, who told of his membership In the Rotary and perfect attendance for 17 years, reminisced that he was on the jury in Mr. Will’s first case here-which he lost. When he saw Mr. Lillard the next day, he said, “I think I’m going to work at the tannery.”

Mayor Fred Walker told how Mr. Will put across the program of securing a new hospital for Page County. When he asked Mr. Will where he expected to get $200,000 for the hospital, he answered “From the people.” And he did.

Chairman and Toastmaster was Harry B. Dyche, who gave a resume of Mr. Will’s life history. Of his former chairmanship of the Republican party and his two times candidate for Congress from the Seventh District, Mr. Dyche said, “We are just as glad you lost for your town and county need your services.”

Born at Mt. Clifton

Mr. Will was bom in Mt, Clifton, Shenandoah County, taught school, then attended college in Washington, when he spent 17 years in the government. He passed the Virginia State Bar, in 1924, and came to Luray and opened an office. His first secretary was Mrs. E. P. Durrette.

Tlie program was planned and arranged by Mrs. Robert Lillard of the Firemen’s Auxiliary, and Miss Elizabeth Bailey, who assisted with collecting life items. Strange to say. all of the Auxiliary women kept the secret, and Mr. Will, at one time, did not plan to come.

His birthday being October 25, a huge cake was baked, and this was brought in at the close of the program, the crowd rising to sing, “Happy Birthday.”

Gifts included a small gavel from the Edith Rebecca Lodge. and a squirrel tail from the Squirrel Club.

Other Tributes Paid

There was also a large bouquet from leaders of the Virginia fire­ men’s auxiliary — “Mother” Travis, Helen Williams, and Margaret Tyler, of Alexandria; Marie Willlams, Strasburg and Ruth Nelson, New Church; and a scrapbook of pictures presented by Mrs. Miller Swartz, president of the Luray Auxiliary.

Others on the program with each representing an organization of which Mr. Will is associated were: Ralph Vaughan, Modern Woodmen; Miss Hazel Moyers, Edith Rebekah Lodge; Robert Lillard, Odd Fellows; Richard Sedwick, First National Bank of which Mr. Will is a director; C. P. Harrel, Luray Fire Co, who presented his photograph for the firemen’s Hall of Fame; the Rev. Louis Carson who spoke of Mr. Will’s Church activities; Floyd Eppard, Peoples Bank of Shenandoah; Mrs. Katie Hiden and Miss Cleta Rhodes, Northern Virginia auxiliary.

Mr. Will served 21 years as president of the Firemen in Luray and four years as president of State Firemen. He organized the Northern Virginia Firemen in 1947 with 13 companies and was its first president. He was instrumental in getting much beneficial legislation passed. Present with Mr. Will were his wife, the former Edna Dellinger, and one of his children. Douglas, now studying law in Washington. His physician. Dr. J. E. Wine, of Harrisonburg, was also present.

Of his interested firemen, Mr. Will said: “I think you’ve said it all. There will be no need for a minister when I die. Just put on my stone, “Here lies a county boy, who loved firemen.” This country boy, he said, used to go out in the night in the country, and see sparks flying, and thought of the need for firemen and fire companies.

The following is from “Background of Adams County,” by B. F. MacPherson, No. 184 – Jacob and Elizabeth (Shriver) Will. This article originally appeared in The Gettysburg Times, Saturday, March 29, 1941.

The will of Jacob Will is to be found in the local courthouse, Will Book “B” — Page 206 — No. 484. In this document he mentions the following members of his family:

Wife — Elizabeth Shriver “is to have the profits of my mill and lands.”

Brother — Andrew Shriver “is to live with my wife and be maintained by her so long as she shall live.”

Jacob Will’s will was written April 13, 1812, and entered into probate on November 12, 1812. Andrew Shriver and George Will were named executors, while R. McIlhenny, John Echrode, and Jacob Eckert added their names as witnesses.

Andrew Will, the son of Jacob Will and Elizabeth (Shriver) Will, was married to the widow Clemens (maiden name McSherry) of Littlestown. Another son, David Will, never married. Mary, one of the daughters of Jacob and Elizabeth (Shriver) Will, married Adam Rupert of Hanover, Pennsylvania.

DIED—at Littles-Town, on Saturday morning the 27th ult. Mr. MICHAEL WILL, at the advanced age of 85 years.

In the early part of his life, in the struggle with Great-Britain for our Independence, he joined the army, and stood the hard fought battles of his country. At the battle of Brandywine, he received a severe wound—the effects of which he carried to the grave.

Many attended the following day, to pay the last tribute of respect to their departed favourite. His remains were interred in Christ’s Church burial ground, attended by the Rev. J. B. Wieslting, who delivered an appropriate discourse from 1st Kings, xix, and part of the 4th verse—“It is enough now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am not better than my fathers.”

Michael Will (1736-1821) was the son of Michael Will the immigrant, father of our family in North America. Michael Jr. apparently never married.

This article was posted on the Shenandoah Valley Herald’s web site on May 26, 2010. St. Mary’s Pine Church figures prominently in the history of the Zirkle and Will families in the Shenandoah Valley. Early church records document our families’ active participation at St. Mary’s. Our Zirkle family is descended from John Rausch (Roush), noted in the article.

St. Mary’s Pine Lutheran Church Celebrates 250th Anniversary

By Aimee Baldwin

MOUNT JACKSON – Freedom was not known when those who wanted to worship freely did so at Rude’s Hill. Members walked 5 to 10 miles to a small building near a fort defending them from Indian attacks. The year was 1760 and it was the beginning of St. Mary’s Pine Lutheran Church, which sits on South Middle Road in Mount Jackson today.

In the beginning the church was known as Rude’s Hill Church because of the location. According to a history gathered by Julie Wilkins, member, worship could go back as far as 1745.

A history of Shenandoah County by John Wayward records that St. Mary’s could be the oldest church in Shenandoah County.

“In January 1776, Peter Muhlenberg probably delivered his famous war sermon at the Rude’s Hill Church, and nine of John Rausch’s sons stepped forward to serve in the Revolutionary War,” the history reads.

In July of 1787, the second church building was built on land deeded to Michael Zirkle and John Fitzmoyer. Both the Lutheran and Reformed churches worshipped there until 1874 when they split.

One of the oldest members of the current church, Helen Thomas, 83, says she has seen many changes.

“I think one thing that seems to have been present since the 1800s is that although sometimes you have few members and sometimes you have many members, we’re led by the Spirit, not by the number of people,” she said.

The current church building was built in March of 1873 and the same pews are being used today.

“The pews are still in use, well-made, and more comfortable than pews in most old churches after 136 years,” Wilkins’ history reads.

On Dec. 8, 1873, the church was dedicated as St. Mary’s Pine Lutheran Church.

“Old pictures show that in the beginnings of the current building there were two doors on the front – one for the women and one for the men,” said Lenord Wilkins, council president. “They said you could tell where the men sat and fell asleep by the grease on the wall.”

Many renovations have taken place over the years including a major one in 1955. Improvements then included painting of the walls, floor, and pews, a dossal curtain, new carpet, memorial windows, and a Hammond organ.

Also that year, the old school house was connected to the church, and a modern heating system, new roof, and exterior paint were added. In the 1960s, a modern kitchen and bathrooms were added.

The latest renovations were done in 2004 when a social hall, two classrooms, storage room, office and commercial kitchen were added.

“We’ve had many dinners to help pay for those renovations,” Wilkins said.

Thomas was baptized at the church on May 15, 1927, at six weeks old and has been a regular member since.

“I was there with my parents, I was married there, my kids were raised there,” Thomas said. “We’re small in number, but it’s a very spiritual place, not secular.”

According to Thomas, there are about 80 people on the roll, but regular attendance is between 40 and 60.

St. Mary’s is celebrating its 250th anniversary all year round, although the biggest celebration was held on Sunday, May 16, which included a special service with a lunch afterwards.

Wilkins says they are planning special activities for each month such as a service at the Rude’s Hill location in June. It is now just an open field so it will be an outdoor service commemorating the roots of the church.

“We’re looking at doing a lawn party/bonfire sometime in August and burying a time capsule at the end of the year,” he said. “Everything is in the planning process.”

No matter how old the church gets and how big or small the numbers are, Wilkins shares that everybody, not just a few people, get involved. He says it’s a community church that helps wherever possible.

“We love inviting and greeting visitors,” said Thomas. “We’ve always been a community minded church and it’s a loving family that you can call on anytime.”

Contact Aimee Baldwin at 459-4078, or e-mail her at aimee.svh@gmail.com.